GT 300

[DwightB]

Following the race on their website and Sailing Anarchy......quite a bit of damage yesterday due to storms, and two Coast Gaurd rescues required, including Tom and Kote Sutton. SA article mentioned that Kote may have a back injury.....does anyone know anything further??

Dwight

[Emma]

Tom and Cote were picked up by the coast guard yesterday and are both fine.  Cote was taken to the hospital but is ok. 
They said they had 50 knot winds during the squalls that came through. 
From the articles it sounds like there was quite a bit of damage to the fleet.

[ChrisK]

Glad to hear everyone ok.  This race sounds just crazy enough that I might want to try it one day.

Website
http://www.gt300.com/Home/race-news-2010

GT Facebook page

Web TV

Looks like they're launching from Surfside and finishing in Galveston Saturday.
Sounds like an excuse to take the car bar on a road trip up the beach...

[Sailchick]

From Cote's wife:  

Tom and Cote were picked up about 10.  The boat turtled at 5 or so.  Cote went to the hospital for a quick xray of his back and was out by 2.  He had thrown it out last Friday so the coast guard insisted he go in after being on a capsized boat for 5 hours.   They are all okay.

[DwightB]

Outstanding!  Thanks for the updates.....

[Sailchick]

Some pictures from before the start!

[MaryM]

I think a road trip on Saturday is a fine idea!  There is some good video of how bad the storm was on SA.

There are a number of boats that are doing just the last leg from Surfside to Galveston, including my Hydrodyn crew mates Dave and Larry!

Glad to hear the Sutton's and the other folks that were also airlifted out are OK.

[MaryM]

Does anyone know where the finish line is going to be in Galveston?  I'm assuming somewhere on east beach but would appreciate any information that anyone has.

[DwightB]

Directions to the Galveston Finish area, from the Surfside area per the GT 300 Information Book.....

Driving Directions to East Beach: From Surfside Beach you can follow along with the
boats, driving on the beach for a few miles then jump back onto Fm 3005, (runs along
the beach towards Galveston). You will cross the San Louis Pass Bridge ($2.00 toll).
From San Luis Pass to East Beach is about 22 miles. This Road becomes FM 3005 and
at the Seawall in Galveston becomes Seawall Blvd.

As you get toward the end of Galveston Island on Seawall Blvd you will come to a Stop
Light , Turn Right on Apffel Park Dr. You will come to a 3 way stop, continue on Apffel
Park Dr. to the end - this is Gate A. Behind the Gate you will see where the Finish area
is taped off. - Alternative; if you miss this turn, you can continue on until Seawall Blvd
ends and turn right on Boddecker Rd. Stay on this Road until you get to Gate B. Enter
and turn right onto the beach.

[ChrisK]

Map

Saturday:
Leg 3 (Surfside Start)  N 28˚ 58.693' W 095˚ 15.115'
Finish (E. Beach Galveston) N 29˚ 19.490' W 094˚ 44.270'
That's a nice drive up the Blue Water Highway from Freeport to East Beach.
Bring a few $ for the bridge toll.

Today (Friday) is the run from Matagorda to Surfside/Freeport... a whole lot of nothing out there!